Serious Shortage Protocol published for Fluoxetine
Written by admin on Friday 13th March 2020
Urgent actions required by pharmacy teams
In response to significant ongoing disruption to the supply of Fluoxetine 10mg tablets, a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) has been issued by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Coming into effect on Thursday 12th March 2020, SSP05 has been developed by clinicians and provides pharmacists with procedures to follow in providing a suitable alternative product, Fluoxetine 10mg capsules in response to the serious shortage affecting the tablets. It has been authorised by the Secretary of State to help manage the supply of this product and to try to ensure that fewer patients have to return to their prescriber.
All community pharmacy teams will receive an email to their shared NHSmail account informing them of this SSP.
Community pharmacy contractors and their teams are asked to read the document below in full and to implement the protocol with immediate effect on Thursday 20th March 2020.
The SSP may be amended or revoked at any time but currently expires on Friday 12th June 2020 – PSNC will update contractors on any changes.
The SSP recommendations
The SSP provides that the capsule formulation of Fluoxetine may be supplied against prescriptions for Fluoxetine 10mg tablets as follows:
- Fluoxetine 10mg tablets --> Fluoxetine 10mg capsules
The pharmacist must exercise their professional judgement to ensure the alternative product is suitable for the patient.
Reimbursement
Fluoxetine 10mg capsules have been higher than the Drug Tariff price and consequently this item was granted a price concession in both January and February 2020. PSNC has been monitoring the supply situation and, based on our data, has applied for a concession again this month. No concession has been granted yet and we don’t know whether one will be but, in light of this SSP, our Dispensing and Supply Team will be making a strong case for one to be granted as quickly as possible to provide contractors with some security on the issue of reimbursement.
Support in implementing the SSPs
A number of resources have been developed to support pharmacy teams in using these protocols. All of these can be found on the following PSNC website page: